Kevin Meaney returns to Jr.'s Last Laugh this weekend

SEE IT

Kevin Meaney will perform Friday and Saturday at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. at Jr.'s Last Laugh, 1402 State St. Tickets are $20. For reservations, call 461-0911. For more on Meaney, visit www.kevinmeaney.com.

Fans of comedian Kevin Meaney already know his family is Big Pants People; that's a running gag. They may not be aware it's also Big Pat's People, as in St. Patrick's Day. That's no gag, though Meaney admits to gagging on green beer years ago and doesn't drink it anymore.

"My mom's birthday is also on St. Patrick's Day, so that's always a big time of year for us. And with our family being Irish, it's absolutely big," he said. "My mother's name is Pat, so they named her after St. Patrick's Day. We usually go to my mom's house (that day) to have her corned beef and cabbage."

Meany will play two nights at Jr.'s Last Laugh this weekend instead of the usual three due to family duty. He canceled tonight's show so he can watch his daughter Kate play Marian the librarian in "The Music Man," her school musical.

"Now I'm plugging her. This is great," Meaney said with mock indignation. "Believe me, I do not encourage her to do (acting), but she's got it in her blood. She just cracks me up. She's even taking stand-up classes here in New York City without me.

"She's fearless to get on stage. So many people have that fear of public speaking and getting up in front of people. She has no fear of that at all. I hope she keeps that the rest of her life."

Heredity must play a role; they're Big Genes People. Meaney has done stand-up and acting for more than 25 years since he emerged from the Boston area with hilarious tales about growing up Irish in a slightly surreal family. His mom would say things like, "Wipe that puss off your face!" Her biggest, oft-repeated fear: "We're going to lose the house!"

He also break into occasional song parodies, including "We Are the World" where he plays -- with help from wigs and props -- every celebrity performer.

Meaney appeared on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" and was invited to join the panel. He's also done quite a bit of acting, including "30 Rock." In 1986, he was a featured guest on "Saturday Night Live" when William Shatner hosted. Meaney was in a "Star Trek" skit and an infamous parody where Dana Carvey, as James Stewart, beats the stuffing out of old man Potter in the "long-lost ending" of "It's a Wonderful Life."

SNL producer Loren Michaels took a liking to Meaney and cast him in "Sunday Night," a music and comedy show. Don't remember it?

"Nobody does," Meaney said, with a laugh.

He also spent five years on Broadway in "Hairspray," mostly playing The Male Authority figure, who takes on several roles. During that run, Meaney came out as gay, and he references that part of his life in his show -- albeit in his usual witty way.

"I'm still friends with my ex-wife," he said. "I still poke her on Facebook."

He still fills comedy rooms and continues his acting. Look for him, inexplicably, as "the head vampire" in "Blood Ransom" this summer. Coming out didn't affect his career.

"I continue to work after all these years, so I'm flattered and happy and continue on with doing what I love," he said.

SEE IT

Kevin Meaney will perform Friday and Saturday at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. at Jr.'s Last Laugh, 1402 State St. Tickets are $20. For reservations, call 461-0911. For more on Meaney, visit www.kevinmeaney.com.